CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- South Africa's Olympic committee says a top cyclist hoping to compete at the Commonwealth Games has died after crashing at a track meet.
SASCOC says Jeanne Nell, a former national sprint, time trial and Keirin champion, died after the crash at a velodrome in Bellville near Cape Town on Tuesday.
Cycling coach Ricky Kulsen says Nel was "one of the best sprinters South Africa has ever had ... a true champion lost to South African cycling."
The Olympic committee said on Wednesday that Nell was a member of the South African men's sprint team attempting to qualify for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in July and August. It didn't give any detail on the cause of death.
Cycling South Africa said "we're shocked at the devastating news."
Tried @USNSA #HyperLean for the 1st time this evening, awesome boost before racing #ItsAllAboutResults @smittiejean pic.twitter.com/3lC9Gww6zt
— Jeanne Nell (@jeannenell) February 11, 2014
